Pattern selection system for sewing machines

ABSTRACT

A sewing machine with stitch forming instrumentalities having an electromagnetically influenced actuator for controlling the pattern of stitches includes a skip stitch mechanism effective to suspend needle reciprocation for one stitch forming cycle whenever a pattern selection is made. The first stitch that will be formed after each pattern selection, therefore, will be a stitch placed according to the newly selected pattern and not a stitch placed according to the surviving data being processed in accordance with the pattern which is being replaced. Also disclosed is an arrangement by which the skip stitch mechanism is operated to suspend the needle reciprocation only when the pattern selection is made during an interval in which data from the pattern which is being replaced is being processed.

United States Patent [1 1 Garron NOV. 12, I974 PATTERN SELECTION SYSTEM FOR SEWING MACHINES Stephen A. Garron, Elizabeth, NJ.

The Singer Company, New York, N.Y.

Filed: Jan. 9, 1974 Appl. No.: 432,027

Inventor:

Assignee:

U.S. Cl. 112/158 E, 112/221 Int. Cl.... D05b 3/02, D05b 69/10, D05b 55/16 Field of Search 112/158 R, 158 A, 158 E,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/1961 Fluckiger 112/158 E X l/l963 Caron 112/158 E X 3/1969 Weisz 112/221 X Primary Examiner-Werner H. Schroeder Attorney, Agent, or Firm--Robert E. Smith; Edward L. Bell; Marshall J. Brecn [57] ABSTRACT A sewing machine with stitch forming instrumentalities having an electromagnetically influenced actuator for controlling the pattern of stitches includes a skip stitch mechanism effective to suspend needle reciprocation for one stitch forming cycle whenever a pattern selection is made. The first stitch that will be formed after each pattern selection, therefore, will be a stitch placed according to the newly selected pattern and not a stitch placed according to the surviving data being processed in accordance with the pattern which is being replaced.

Also disclosed is an arrangement by which the skip stitch mechanism is operated to suspend the needle reciprocation only when the pattern selection is made during an interval in which data from the pattern -which is being replaced is being processed.

7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDNUY 12 1974 SHEUIU? 2 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION ln an ornamental stitching machine such as is disclosed in the copending U.S. Pat. application, Ser. No. 376,781, filed July 5, l973, a predetermined time occursduring each stitch forming cycle'when information pertinent to the placement of the next succeeding stitch is extracted from the memory storage means and applied to the electromagnetic actuator. lf a different pattern is selected after this predetermined time in the cycle, the sewing machine of the above referenced pattern application would none-the-less be committed to placement of the first stitch after such selection in accordance with data extracted from the replaced pattern. The result may be a highly noticeable incongruous stitch at the beginning of the pattern of stitches which would detract from the aesthetic appearance of the resulting stitched seam.

In is an object of this invention to prevent the carry over of a stitch derived from a previously selected pattern when a new pattern selection is made in a sewing machine utilizing an electromagnetically influenced actuator for controlling the stitch pattern. This object may be attained by employing a skip stitch mechanism for separating the needle from the needle actuating mechanism and by actuating such skip stitch mechanism for one stitch forming cycle whenever the pattern selector mechanism is operated.

There exists a wide variety of electromagnetically influenced actuators capable of dictating the stitch pattern in a sewing machine and these actuators differ widely as to the predetermined time prior to stitch formation at which pattern data must be supplied. The electromagnetically influenced actuator as disclosed, for instance, in the copending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 379,535 filed July 16, 1973, requires the data extracted from the memory storage means to be applied practically a full stitch forming cycle prior to the placement of the stitch to be controlled. Using this type of actuator, therefore, the skip stitch mechanism would be utilized whenever'the pattern selector mechanism is operated regardless of when during the stitch forming cycle the pattern selection was effected. The electromagnetically influenced actuator such as is disclosed in the copending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 347,982, filed Apr. 4, 1973, however, requires that data from the memory storage means need be applied to the actuator only immediately preceding the descent of the needle prior to each stitch forming cycle. When this actuator is utilized, therefore, actuation of the skip stitch mechanism is not required if pattern selection is made during the upstroke of the needle, and in fact use of the skip stitch mechanism under these circumstances would serve only to delay sewing of the newly selected stitch pattern. lt is an object of this invention to provide a means for effecting operation of the skip stitch mechanism in response to pattern selection only during that interval during each stitch forming cycle when the electromagnetically influenced actuator is committed to operation in response to data supplied from the old stitch pattern which is being replaced. This object is attained by a gating arrangement interposed in the control system for the skip stitch mechanism which gating arrangement is opened only during periods while the electromagnetically influenced actuator is committed to pattern data so that only when pattern selection is effected during such intervals'will the skip stitch mechanism be operated thereby.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS This invention may be understood with reference to the accompanying drawings of a preferred embodiment in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sewing machine to which this invention has been applied,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a pulse generator used with this invention,

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the needle bar mechanism of the sewing machine of FIG. 1 and including a skip stitch operating means thereon, and

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a portion of an electronic circuit which may be used in carrying out this invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a sewing machine casing 10 is shown in phantom lines including a bed 11, a standard 12 rising from the bed and a bracket arm 13 overhanging the bed. The driving mechanism of the sewing machine includes an arm shaft 14 and a bed shaft 15 interconnected by a timing belt 16 in the standard. A needle 17 is carried for endwise reciprocation by a needle bar 18 mounted for lateral jogging movement in a gate 19 in the bracket arm 13. The connections between the arm shaft and the needle bar for imparting needle reciprocation include a separable connection indicated generally at which is referred to in the art as a skip stitch mechanism and which will be described in greater detail below.

For imparting lateral jogging movement to the needle, a drive link 25 is pivoted as at 26 to a block 27 arranged in a radial guide slot 28 of an oscillating driver 29 forming a part of an electromechanical actuator indicated generally at 30 for influencing the lateral jogging or bight. One such actuator which may be used in this invention is that shown and described in U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 347,982, filed Apr. 4, 1973 and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention, which is incorporated by reference herein. For an understanding of the present invention it is sufficient to understand that the actuator 30 includes the drive shaft 31 carrying a sprocket 32 engaging the timing belt 16. A whippletree linkage 33 which is connected to the driver 29 is shifted alternatively back and forth by the drive shaft 31 and a selective position of the driver within the range of drive shaft imparted motion may be maintained during needle penetration by the selective energization of five solenoids 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24.

Also illustrated in FIG. 1 is a fragment of a work feeding mechanism including a feed dog 34 carried by a feed bar 35. In FIG. 1 the mechanism is illustrated imparting work transporting movement to the feed dog including the feed drive shaft 36 driven by gears 37 from the bed shaft, a cam 38 on the feed drive shaft, a pitman 39 embracing the cam 38 and connected to reciprocate a slide block 40 in a slotted feed regulating guideway 41. A link 42 pivotably connects the pitman 39 with the feed bar 35 so that depending upon the inclination of the guideway 41, the magnitude and direction of the feed stroke of the feed dog will be determined.

The inclination of the guideway 41 in the present invention may be controlled by an electromechanical feed actuator indicated generally at .43. The actuator 43 may also be built in accordance with the U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 347,982 referred to above, and may include a drive shaft 44 carrying a sprocket 45 engaging the timing belt 16. A whippletree linkage (not shown) which is shifted alternately back and forth by the drive shaft 44 is connected to a link 46 pivoted at 47 to a rock arm 48 carried on a rock shaft 49 secured to'the guideway 41. A selected position of the Whippletree linkage, and'therefore of the link 46 may be maintained duringthe active work feeding stroke by the selective energization of five solenoids 74, 75, 76, 77 and 78. A dial 88 on the machine bed is provided with a crank pin 89 embraced by an adjusting link 94 which extends into the feed actuator 43 to provide for a balance control. Preferably the balance control provides for a mechanical fine adjustment between the Whippletree linkage connection and the guideway 41 so that the intended stitch length and directions can be accurately attained.

In the preferred embodiment, the bracket arm is provided with four selector switches 50, 51, 52 and 53 which areused by the operator to select one of the ornamental stitch patterns stored in the electronic memory storage components 91, 92 and 93 or, alternatively, to obtain a straightstitch. The obtaining of straight stitch pattern is accomplished by activation of selector switch 50 whereas three different ornamental stitch patterns may be associated one with each of the selector switches 51, 52, and 53.

The operation of switches 50-53 and the means whereby switch operation can operate to provide the selected stitch patterns forms the subject of U.S. Pat. application Ser. No.'376,78l filed July 5, 1973, which is incorporated by reference herein. As described and shown in the above referenced patent application, the selection of a pattern by depression of any one of the switches 50-53 will give rise to a pulse signal in the conductor 139 therein for the purpose of resetting the address counter each time a selection is made so that the newly selected pattern will always proceed from a predetermined beginning. In the present invention, the pulse signal in the conductor 139 may be used to indicate when any pattern selection is effected.

Referring to FIGS. 1 .and 3, a skip stitch mechanism 100 is shown having a construction as described in the copending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 359,281, filed May 11, 1973, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,820,485 which is incorporated herein by reference. The skip stitch manner in which the skip stitch mechanism cooperates with this invention.

The needle bar 18 has a block 102 secured thereto by a screw 101. A second block 103 which is freely slidable on the needle bar 18 includes a stud 104 which is operatively connected to the conventional needle reciprocating crank mechanism (not shown) of the sewing machine. When the blocks 102 and 103 are locked together, the needle. will be reciprocated in the usual fashion, and when the blocks 102 and 103 are unlocked one from the other the needle reciprocating drive will be interrupted. A clutch lever 105 fulcrumed at 106 on the block 102 includes a clutch'finger107 for interlocking the two blocks 102 and 103 when the finger 107 underlies the block 103.- A tang 108 on the clutch lever 105 is engageable by one arm 109 of a bell crank 110 pivoted on a fulcrum pin 111 carried in the block 102. The bell crank 110 includes a second arm 112 engaged by a vertically shiftable release member 113 which includes an inclined slot 114 embracing a guide pin 115 in the machine frame so that the release member will move laterally when elevated and, therefore, when elevated will interrupt the needle bar reciprocation.'A spring 116 arranged between the fulcrum pin 111 on the block 102 and an arm 117 on the release member will elevate the needle bar whenever the clutch lever 105 is turned to interrupt the needle reciprocation.

A lateral tab 120 on the release member 113 overlies one arm 121 of a lever 122 having a fulcrum pin 123 carried in the machine frame and formed with another arm 124 operatively connected with a solenoid 125. When the solenoid 125 is energized momentarily, it will influence interruption of needle bar reciprocation and will thus cause a stitch to be skipped.

The pulse signal occuring in the conductor 139 whenever a pattern selection switch 50-53 is closed, as described in the referenced U.S. Pat. application No. 376,781 may be amplified in any conventional manner and utilized directly to actuate the solenoid 125 whenever a pattern selection is made. This arrangement will be ideal where actuators are used in which pattern information is committed well before the formation of each stitch.

When an actuator is used for pattern stitch information which is supplied with pattern information immediately prior to needle penetration, then a period exists during each stitch forming cycle before the supply of pattern information when pattern selection may be effected without the requirement for skipping the first stitch. In order to avoid needlessly skipping the first stitch, means are required for distinguishing the instant at which pattern information is supplied and this may be accomplished as will now be described by resort to a pulse generator unit 143 such as is disclosed in the referenced U.S. Pat. application Ser. No, 364,835.

As shown in FIG. 2, the unit 143includes two separate pulse generators each including a semi-circular shaped cam and 152, which cams preferably are made of magnetic flux conducting material as is the arm shaft to which each of the cams is affixed as by screws 148. The cams 150 and 152 each have a variable peripheral circumference including a large diameter segment 154 and a small diameter segment 156, each cam being adapted to cooperate with one of a pair of Hall effect devices 158 and 160.

Each of the Hall effect devices 158 and 160 constitutes a magnetic flux responsive unit which will develop across the output leads 170, 172 or 172, respectively, either a low (0.3 volts) or zero voltage in the presence of low flux density or a relatively high DC voltage (+4 volts) in the presence of a high flux density. The leads 170 and 170' provide the common or ground lines so that in effect, the presence of a high voltage in the line 172 and 172' constitutes the output of the pulse generator unit 143.

A permanent magnet 174 is arranged adjacent to the Hall effect devices 158 and 160- and a magnetic flux conducting base member 176 is employed which includes an extension 184 which overlaps a circular disc 186, also made of flux conducting material, on the arm shaft 14.

As long as the large diameter segment 154 of each cam 150, 152 is positioned opposite the corresponding Hall effect device 158, or 160, the high voltage will exist in the output line 172, or 172' respectively.

With the arm shaft rotating in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2, the Hall effect'device 160 provides a pulse corresponding in time with that required for supplying pattern information for the bight or zigzag motion of the needle, and for this purpose the large diameter segment 154 of cam 152 is preferably timed to move opposite the Hall effect device 160 at top dead center of needle reciprocation. The cam 150 cooperates with the Hall effect device 158 to produce a pulse in the line 172 for supplying pattern information for the feed regulationpreferably timed to begin one-quarter revolution after top dead center, i.e., when the needle begins penetration of the work and the preceding feed strokehas been completed.

With the illustrated arrangement, the high voltage signal in the lines 172 and 172' will both be discontinued at 270 beyond top dead center and will remain off until the next succeeding top dead center position, that is, from the time the needle leaves the work until top dead center is reached. With the form of this invention presently being described, pattern cam selection if made during that quarter of each stitch forming cycle from 270 to top dead center will not result in occurrence of a skip stitch, whereas pattern selection, if made at any other time, will cause a stitch to be skipped.

A circuit permitting the skip stitch mechanism to be actuated only when pattern selection is made during a predetermined portion of each stitch forming cycle will now be described with reference to the block diagram illustrated in FIG. 4. In the diagram of FIG. 4, 201, 202 and 203 indicate one shot units having input terminals A and B and an output terminal Q. Only when the input terminal A is at a low or off voltage'and the input terminal B is at an on or high voltage will an on or high voltage pulse be delivered at the output terminal Q.

In the description which will follow, an off condition in any of the conductors will mean a low (0.3 volts DC) or zero voltage, and an on condition will mean a high (+4 volts DC) voltage.

AND gates 301 and 302 are shown in FIG. 4, as well as OR gates 401 and 402 anda NOR gate 500, each gate having input terminals A and B and an output terminal Q.

The AND gates 301 and 302 will provide an on signal at the output terminal Q only while both input terminals A and B receive on signals. The OR gates 401 and 402 will provide an on signal at the output terminal Q when either or both input terminals A and B receive an on signal. The NOR gate 500 will provide an on signal at the output terminal Q only while both input terminals A and B receive an off signal.

Also shown in the diagram of FIG. 4 are three flipflop units 601, 602 and 603 each including input terminals A and B and a pair of output terminals marked 0 and 1. The marking 0 stands for an off condition and the marking 1 stands for an on condition in that state of the flip-flop unit when the input terminal A has been subjected to an on pulse. When an input terminal B of any of the flip-flop units is subjected to an on pulse, the condition of the pair of output terminals will each change to the reverse of that indicated in FIG. 4 and will remain so reversed until the input terminal A is again subjected to an on pulse.

The flip-flop unit 601 is turned into the condition illustrated in FIG. 4 by a pulse in line 901 from the one flop unit 602 would then be turned into the condition illustrated in FIG. 4 and line 905 for actuating skip stitch mechanism would receive an on signal.

Alsoas a result of the flip-flop unit 601 being turned into the condition illustrated in FIG. 4, line 906 would be placed in an off condition readying the one shot unit 202 for response to a feed signal when received in the line 172 from the pulse generator 143. A pulse through line 907 from the one shot unit 202 to the flip-flop unit 603 will place line 908 in an off condition thus readying the one shot unit 203 for response to a signal from- NOR gate 500 when the signal disappears from. both the bight and feed lines 172' and 172 from the pulse generator 143 at 270 past top dead center of the sewing machine needle reciprocation. A count pulse will then be generated in the line 909 for extracting stitch pattern data for the succeeding stitch.

In addition to pulsing the one shot unit 203,-operation of the NOR gate via line 910 causes the flip-flop unit 602 to change into a condition opposite that illustrated in FIG. 4 terminating operation of the skip stitch actuating mechanism. In this manner the needle reciprocation will be interrupted for only one stitch when it is initiated by a pulse in the pattern selector line 139.

- The count pulse in line 909 via line 911 causes both OR gates 401 and 402 to signal the flip-flop units 601 and 603 to change into the condition opposite that illustrated in FIG. 4. From the time at 270 before top dead center until top dead center, AND gate 301 will be disabled and a pattern pulse received in the line 139 will not actuate the skip stitch mechanism.

Another portion of the logic circuit shown in FIG. 4 which will now be described assures that the count pulse in line 909 will be inhibited whenever the skip stitch mechanism is actuated by a pulse from the flipflop unit 602 in line 905. Such inhibition of the count pulse assures that stitch pattern data corresponding to the first stitch of a newly selected pattern will be retained at the memory output until the sewing machine needle reciprocation mechanism is again rendered operative and is ready to reflect such pattern information in the resulting stitched seam.

' gate 302. This together with an on signal in line 903 resulting from a pattern selection applied to the input terminal B of the AND gate 302 will cause an on signal to be delivered at the AND gate 302 output terminal Q via the line 914 to the OR gate 401 so that an on signal will be delivered via the line 915 to the terminal B of the flip-flop unit 601. A resulting on signal in the line 906 will prevent the one shot unit 202 from applying a sigml in the line 907 to the flip-flop unit 603. The one shot unit 203 will thus be inhibited from producing a count pulse until the next stitch forming cycle has occurred in which the skip stitch mechanism is not actuated by an on signal in the line 905.

Having set forth the nature of this invention, what is claimed herein is:

1 A sewing machine having stitch forming instrumentalities capable of producing successive stitches in a variety of different stitch patterns and including a needle, a mechanical actuator for imparting repetitive stitch forming cycles of operation to said stitch forming instrumentalities, an electromagnetically influenced actuator operatively connected to said stitch forming instrumentalities for controlling the stitch pattern pro- .duced thereby, memory storage means for data regulating the placement of each stitch in a stitch pattern and having the capacity for the storage of separate data relating to each of a plurality of different stitch patterns, operator influenced pattern selection means for rendering effective data stored in said memory storage means relating to any selected one of said plurality of different stitch patterns, a skip stitch mechanism for separating said mechanical actuator from said needle,

and means responsive to the operation of said pattern selector means for operating said skip stitch mechanism for one stitch forming cycle of said sewing machine.

2. A sewing machine as set forth in claimli in which said operator influenced pattern selector means includes an electric circuit having a plurality of operator influenced switches, means connecting said switches in said circuit effective upon closure of each switch to render effective the data in said memory storage means relating to one of said different stitch patterns, an electromagnetically influenced skip stitch device actuator for said skip stitch device operating means, and connections in said electric circuit for energizing said electromagnetically influenced skip stitch actuator in response to closure of any one of said switches.

3. A sewing machine as set forth in claim 1 including means for inhibiting retrieval of data from said memory storage means during operation of said skip stitch mechanism in response to operation of said pattern selector means.

4. A sewing machine having stitch forming instrumentalities capable of producing successive stitches in a variety of differen'tstjtch patterns and including a needle and a loop taker, a mechanical actuator for imparting repetitive stitch forming cycles of operation to said stitch forming instrumentalities including endwise reciprocation of said needle into a position for needle thread loop seizure by said loop taker, an electromagnetically influenced actuator operatively connected to said stitch forming instrumentalities for controlling the stitch pattern produced thereby, memory storage means for data regulating the placement of each stitch I in a stitch pattern and having the capacity for the storage of separate data relating to each of a plurality of different stitch patterns, operator influenced pattern selector means forrendering effective data stored in said memory storage means relating to any selected one of said plurality of different stitch patterns, means rendered effective by said mechanical actuator at apredetermined position of said mechanical actuator prior to each work penetration of said needle for extracting from said memory storage means data pertinent to the placement of the next succeeding stitch in said selected stitch patternand for energizing said electromagnetically influenced actuator in accordance with said extracted data, a skip stitch mechanism for separating said mechanical actuator from said needle, and means responsive to operation of said pattern selector means during a predetermined interval after extraction of pattern information data from said memory storagemeans for operating said skip stitch mechanism for one stitch forming cycle of said sewing machine.

5. A sewing machine having stitch forming instrumentalities capable of concatenating thread into successive stitches in a variety of different stitch patterns, a mechanical actuator for imparting repetitive cycles of operation to said stitch forming instrumentalities each cycle includinga position in which thread concatenation becomes irrevocable for the stitch then being formed, an-electromagnetically influenced actuator operatively connected to said stitch forming instrumentalities for controlling the stitch pattern produced thereby, memory storage means for data regulating the placement of each stitch in a stitch pattern and having the capacity for the storage of separate data relating to each of a plurality of different stitch patterns, operator influenced pattern selector means for rendering effective data stored in said memory storage means relating to any selected one of said plurality of different stitch patterns, means rendered effective by said mechanical actuator at a predetermined position of said mechanical actuator prior to said position in which thread concatenation becomes irrevocable for extracting from said memory storage means data pertinent to the placement of the next succeeding stitch in said selected stitch pattern and for energizing said electromagnetically influenced actuator in accordance with said extracted data, a skip stitch mechanism for separating said mechanical actuator from said needle, and means responsive to operation of said pattern selector means for a predetermined interval after extraction of said pattern information data from said memory storage means for operating said skip stitch mechanism for one stitch forming cycle of said sewing machine.

6. A sewing machine as set forth in claim 5 in which said operator influenced pattern selector means includes an electric circuit having a plurality of operator influenced switches, means connecting said switches in said circuit effective upon closing of each switch to render effective the data in said memory storage means relating to one of said different stitch patterns, an electromagnetically influenced skip stitch device actuator for said skip stitch device operating means, connections in said electric circuit for energizing said electromagnetically influencedskip stitch device actuator in response to closure of any one of said switches, gate means in said last mentioned connections, and means for opening said gate means only during a predetermined inter val after extraction of pattern information data from said memory storage means.

7. A sewing machine as set forth in claim 6 including means for inhibiting retrieval of data from said memory storage means during actuation of said skip stitch device in response to closure of any one of said switches. 

1. A sewing machine having stitch forming instrumentalities capable of producing successive stitches in a variety of different stitch patterns and including a needle, a mechanical actuator for imparting repetitive stitch forming cycles of operation to said stitch forming instrumentalities, an electromagnetically influenced actuator operatively connected to said stitch forming instrumentalities for controlling the stitch pattern produced thereby, memory storage means for data regulating the placement of each stitch in a stitch pattern and having the capacity for the storage of separate data relating to each of a plurality of different stitch patterns, operator influenced pattern selection means for rendering effective data stored in said memory storage means relating to any selected one of said plurality of different stitch patterns, a skip stitch mechanism for separating said mechanical actuator from said needle, and means responsive to the operation of said pattern selector means for operating said skip stitch mechanism for one stitch forming cycle of said sewing machine.
 2. A sewing machine as set forth in claim 1 in which said operator influenced pattern selector means includes an electric circuit having a plurality of operator influenced switches, means connecting said switches in said circuit effective upon closure of each switch to render effective the data in said memory storage meanS relating to one of said different stitch patterns, an electromagnetically influenced skip stitch device actuator for said skip stitch device operating means, and connections in said electric circuit for energizing said electromagnetically influenced skip stitch actuator in response to closure of any one of said switches.
 3. A sewing machine as set forth in claim 1 including means for inhibiting retrieval of data from said memory storage means during operation of said skip stitch mechanism in response to operation of said pattern selector means.
 4. A sewing machine having stitch forming instrumentalities capable of producing successive stitches in a variety of different stitch patterns and including a needle and a loop taker, a mechanical actuator for imparting repetitive stitch forming cycles of operation to said stitch forming instrumentalities including endwise reciprocation of said needle into a position for needle thread loop seizure by said loop taker, an electromagnetically influenced actuator operatively connected to said stitch forming instrumentalities for controlling the stitch pattern produced thereby, memory storage means for data regulating the placement of each stitch in a stitch pattern and having the capacity for the storage of separate data relating to each of a plurality of different stitch patterns, operator influenced pattern selector means for rendering effective data stored in said memory storage means relating to any selected one of said plurality of different stitch patterns, means rendered effective by said mechanical actuator at a predetermined position of said mechanical actuator prior to each work penetration of said needle for extracting from said memory storage means data pertinent to the placement of the next succeeding stitch in said selected stitch pattern and for energizing said electromagnetically influenced actuator in accordance with said extracted data, a skip stitch mechanism for separating said mechanical actuator from said needle, and means responsive to operation of said pattern selector means during a predetermined interval after extraction of pattern information data from said memory storage means for operating said skip stitch mechanism for one stitch forming cycle of said sewing machine.
 5. A sewing machine having stitch forming instrumentalities capable of concatenating thread into successive stitches in a variety of different stitch patterns, a mechanical actuator for imparting repetitive cycles of operation to said stitch forming instrumentalities each cycle including a position in which thread concatenation becomes irrevocable for the stitch then being formed, an electromagnetically influenced actuator operatively connected to said stitch forming instrumentalities for controlling the stitch pattern produced thereby, memory storage means for data regulating the placement of each stitch in a stitch pattern and having the capacity for the storage of separate data relating to each of a plurality of different stitch patterns, operator influenced pattern selector means for rendering effective data stored in said memory storage means relating to any selected one of said plurality of different stitch patterns, means rendered effective by said mechanical actuator at a predetermined position of said mechanical actuator prior to said position in which thread concatenation becomes irrevocable for extracting from said memory storage means data pertinent to the placement of the next succeeding stitch in said selected stitch pattern and for energizing said electromagnetically influenced actuator in accordance with said extracted data, a skip stitch mechanism for separating said mechanical actuator from said needle, and means responsive to operation of said pattern selector means for a predetermined interval after extraction of said pattern information data from said memory storage means for operating said skip stitch mechanism for one stitch forming cycle of said sewing machine.
 6. A sewing machine as set forth in claim 5 in wHich said operator influenced pattern selector means includes an electric circuit having a plurality of operator influenced switches, means connecting said switches in said circuit effective upon closing of each switch to render effective the data in said memory storage means relating to one of said different stitch patterns, an electromagnetically influenced skip stitch device actuator for said skip stitch device operating means, connections in said electric circuit for energizing said electromagnetically influenced skip stitch device actuator in response to closure of any one of said switches, gate means in said last mentioned connections, and means for opening said gate means only during a predetermined interval after extraction of pattern information data from said memory storage means.
 7. A sewing machine as set forth in claim 6 including means for inhibiting retrieval of data from said memory storage means during actuation of said skip stitch device in response to closure of any one of said switches. 